Brazil Fines Volkswagen $13.2 Million Over Amarok Emissions

The Brazilian media is reporting that the Volkswagen Group has been fined $13.2 million by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for fudging the emissions figures of its Amarok pickup truck.

The fine is the maximum allowed under Brazil's Environmental Crimes Law and comes after VW Brazil admitted that the cheat devices used in European and American tests was also used in the testing of the Amarok sold in Brazil.

VW sold 17,057 diesel units of the Amarok in Brazil that have the cheat device installed. The 17,057 Amaroks include all the 2011 models and part of the 2012 range. The company has been notified to recall the vehicles to correct the cheating software.

The fine and recall is the first piece of direct action taken against VW in any country since the news of the emissions scandal broke in September.